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Newly appointed Indian football team coach Igor Stimac will face his first real test when the team take the field in the first match of the Kings Cup, against Curacao on June 5.
Winning the trust of the interviewers with his detailed presentation, Stimac wasted no time and started his job. He called up as many as 37 players for the national camp, including those who were repeatedly neglected in the previous regime.
However, as the squad was trimmed to 23, criticisms followed. The exclusion of some players surprised many and they expressed their anger through social media.
Sportskeeda picks out three players who were excluded from the final list:
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#3 Jobby Justin
Former India coach Stephen Constantine faced the ire of the fans and pundits for not picking Jobby Justin in the Asian Cup. Given the form that Justin were in during that time, it was not automatic choice.
But Constantine, during his tenure, have always made tough choice which baffled many.
So, when Igor Stimac came in as Constantine’s successor in the Indian football team, Justin found a ray of hope. When he was interviewed for the job, Stimac made a detailed presentation of all the players who he wanted to pick. Justin found his name on the list quite deservingly.
He was picked up for the national camp after Stimac took over and the Keralite justified his talent after first few days of practice. However, he could make it to the final 23 footballer who flew to Thailand to play the Kings Cup.
Though the time has not come to criticise the Croatian coach, it is the most puzzling decision that he has made since his appointment. The inclusion of Manvir Singh in the Kings Cup squad doesn’t at all justify the vision of the coach.
East Bengal coach Alejandro Menendez praised his ward after Justin produced a magnificent performance against Mohun Bagan last year. Menendez went on to say that ‘Justin should play in the national team’ as it would benefit the team.
Justin is dynamic footballer with a consistent goal scoring ability. When he is not in a position to score, he could provide a perfect assist for his teammates. He has skills, determinations and hard working mentality that would have helped the team immensely.
The Keralite shouldn’t lose his heart and wait for the next opportunity.
#2 Nishu Kumar
Muzaffarnagar, a district of western Uttar Pradesh, is known for its love for cricket. However, there is one boy who made heads turn and forced the local people to shift their allegiance to football. That little boy, Nishu Kumar, is currently an integral part of the Indian Super League champions Bengaluru FC and is one of the few ‘crorepati’ Indian footballers.
Known as ‘Ronaldo Bhai’ in his village, Nishu has faced and overcame several hardships since he started playing football at the age of five. He went on to play in the Chandigarh Football Academy and AIFF Elite Academy before being signed up by Bengaluru. Nishu has played for India in U-16 and U-19 levels.
Nishu played regularly for Bengaluru FC in the last ISL season. In the 18 matches that he played, Nishu has made 38 tackles along with 54 clearances and 26 blocks. He also scored a goal through a fine long ranger against Jamshedpur FC.
He is mainly a full back but can also move up to play in a more attacking role, like he did against Jordan in a friendly last year. With the Indian team missing most of their players due to disruptive flight schedules, Nishu was introduced in the second half and immediately reduced the margin by scoring his maiden goal in India colours.
Stimac has picked only five defenders in the Kings Cup squad and at some point; he might rue his decision of excluding Nishu.
#1 Rowllin Borges
“I am very happy to have Igor Stimac as the national team Coach. He is a very experienced coach and has coached at really high levels. With his new tactics and techniques, I am sure the team will reach higher levels too. I am looking forward to training under him and learn a lot from him.”
This is what Rowllin Borges had to say of India’s new coach Igor Stimac in an interview to the Goal.com website.
However, his ‘happiness’ was short lived as Borges was among the second batch of six players who were released from the national camp ahead of the Kings Cup. Not many would’ve liked the idea of excluding him but certainly Stimac thinks otherwise.
Borges played a pivotal role in NorthEast United’s campaign in the last season of ISL. The club qualified for the play-offs for the first time in their history.
His performance impressed one and all and coach Eelco Schattorie went on to say, “Rowllin has the ability to play also as a holding midfielder. He has the ability to score goals and the physical ability to go box-to-box. He also has the technical ability to be creative and I think that role (no. 8) fits him the best.”
These words summed up what Borges can offer for a team. Schattorie, one of best tactical coach, used Borges brilliantly throughout the campaign. Borges not only stops defenders from scoring goals, he can also move up and provide defence splitting passed to the attackers. His 989 passes and 53 tackles back his all-round ability.
It needs to be seen how India can cope up without a holding midfielder like him, especially against attacking sides like Curacao and Thailand.
